Dear SPWC Members
I hope you survived Hallowe’en without being attacked by ghosts and ghouls. Trick or treat seems to have become a big thing these days, doesn’t it? Did you all keep a stock of sweets and goodies indoors for any kids who rang your doorbell or did you turn the telly and the lights off and pretend there was nobody at home? It’s bonfire night next week, although the fireworks seem to have been going off for the last few days. People celebrating Diwali, I think.
Last Month’s Meeting
Wasn’t Mike Buckingham good? Not only was he entertaining but we learned a lot about areas of Spain that perhaps we wouldn’t normally associate with wine production. The wines he brought were excellent. I’m not normally a fan of sherry but I have to admit that the one he brought along was lush!
This Month’s Meeting
We welcome back a very familiar face on November 14th when Dilyan Kolev returns as our presenter. Dilyan now has a new company called The Jolly Merchants Ltd and his theme for the evening is The Wines of Thrace, an important wine producing region of Bulgaria. As usual, Dilyan will be accepting orders on the night. Hope to see you there.
Wine of the Month – Mâcon Villages, White Burgundy, 2023, 12.5% ABV
Specially produced for Aldi, this white Burgundy has aromas and flavours of restrained apple and citrus, as well as a smoky finish. Mâcon-Villages is a title covering certain dry, Chardonnay-based white wines made from fruit grown in one or more of the 27 titular "villages" of the Mâcon appellation in southern Burgundy. The appellation nominally represents a step up in quality from the standard Mâcon title, allowing winemakers the ability to blend wine or fruit across geographically recognised sites. This wine is available at a slightly reduced price of £8.69.
Wine of the Month Mâcon-Villages White Burgundy
Restaurant of The Month – Denny’s Lobster and Seafood Restaurant, 3 Station Approach, Chislehurst, BR7 5NN
Situated in the former waiting room of Chislehurst railway station, this restaurant boasts an impressive and extensive range of fresh seafood and fish dishes - lobsters, langoustines, crabs, rock oysters, monkfish, dover sole, seabass, mussels, winkles and whitebait are just examples of what you can expect. Enjoy seafood pasta and risottos, as well as paella, zarzuela and Belgian mussels cooked in a variety of ways. The crab and lobster dishes are especially enticing and there are meat dishes available for those not keen on fish and seafood. There is a very good choice of wines available starting at around £28 per bottle. It’s a great venue for lovers of fish and seafood.
Social Events
Unfortunately, we have had to cancel the proposed trip to the Country Living Christmas Fair on November 16th. However, we’re still going ahead with our day at The South Bank Christmas Market, followed by Borough Market on Saturday, December 14th. The plan is to take the train from Hayes to Charing Cross and then walk over Hungerford Bridge to The South Bank to enjoy the market, entertainment and, who knows, may be a glass or two of mulled wine. We’ll then carry on to Borough Market to sample some of the varied food and drink items before retiring to Cote Brasserie for an early dinner. We’ll head back home from London Bridge.
Christmas Meal
Our Christmas meal will take place at Tugra on Tuesday, December 17th. As mentioned previously we will have our own room and bar in the basement of the restaurant which is in Station Approach in Hayes. Festivities will start at 7 and we will have the room until midnight.
The cost of the meal is £26 per person and will consist of the following: -
Cold mezze starter platters consisting of:
· Hummus
· Cacik (yogurt and cucumber)
· Taramasalata
· Aubergine
· Chicken
This will be followed by the main course of:
· Lamb kofte (kebab)
· Chicken shish
· Chicken kofte
· Chicken wings
· Lamb ribs
· Bulgur wheat
· Salad
· Pitta bread
· Chilli and garlic sauce
For those who do not eat meat, we can organise an alternative of sea bass or vegetables. If you require sea bass or vegetables instead, please let me know by the end of November (stating fish or veg) so that I can liaise with the restaurant. Desserts can be ordered and paid for separately on the night. Most of them cost £6. Please note that the cost of the meal does not include drinks. These should be ordered from our dedicated bar and paid for separately.
The meal should be paid for in advance, either at our meeting on November 14th or by bank transfer before the end of November.
Thanks in anticipation of what should be a really good evening.
Best wishes to all,
Goff
1st November 2024